Device for feeding ballonnets on airships.



M. KAPFER-ER.

DEVICE FOR FEEDING BALLONNETS 0N AIRSHIPS APPLICATION TILED SEPTJI, 1909.

Patented May 24, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

MARCEL KAPFERER, OF BILLANCOURT, FRANCE, ASSIGNOB. TO SOCIETE ANONYME ASTRA, OF BILLANCOURT, FRANCE.

DEVICE FOR FEEDING BALLONNETS ON AIRSHIPS.

Patented May 24, 1910.

Serial No. 517,259.

To all whom it may concern:

l 3e it known that I, MAnonL KAPFERER, a citizen of the French Republic, residing at Billancourt, Seine, France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Feeding Ballonnets on Airships, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device for feed ing the ballonnets for airships having the peculiarity that it makes it possible to send at will air into two different ballonnets or into two different portions of a compensation ballonnet of a dirigible airship for the purpose of modifying at will its longitudinal equilibrium. This device is applicable to any airship that may comprise a ballonnet.

A construction according to this invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a partial vertical section of the essential parts of the device. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the device in the position for feeding a lefthand ballonnet. Fig. 3 is a plan of two feed branches for the case corresponding to Fig. 2. Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively views similar to those of Figs. 2 and 3, in the feeding position for a righthand ballonnet. Figs. 6 and 7 are horizontal sections on an enlarged scale respectively through lines AA and BB of Figs. 2 and 4.

Taking the case of an airship provided with two ballonnets 1 and 2 into which air is introduced through horizontal branches 3 and 4 of the vertical hose pipe 5 leading to the fan, the invention consists in providing the said hose pipe 5 with a flexible partition 6, the width of which is equal to half the circumferential development of the said hose pipe 5. The edges of the said partition 6 are connected in an air-tight manner to two diametrically opposite generatrices of the hose pipe 5, so that the said partition 6 can be applied to one or to the other of the half surfaces of the said pipe, which enables the whole section of the said pipe 5 to be utilized for sending air into one or the other ballonnet 1 or 2. The partition in question is connected on the one hand to the branches 3 and 4 by means of a flexible cap 7 having the shape of a quarter of a sphere, and on the other hand to the fan by means of a jaw 8 sliding in a rectangular frame 9 which is inserted into the pipe 5 a little above its bottom end. It is sufficient to slide the jaw 8 by means of a rod 10 to which it is connected, in order to place it tangentially to the pipe 5 in two diametrically opposite po sitions such that the partitions 6 can rest either against the half-wall on the left hand side of the pipe 5, as in the case of Figs. 1 and 4, or against the right hand side halfwall, as in the case of Fig. 2. In the said position, Fig. 2, the air passes to the left of the partition 6, fills the whole section of the pipe 5 and penetrates into the ballonnet 1 through the branch 3. In the position shown in Fig. 4 the air passes to the right of the partition 6 and penetrates into the ballonnet 2 through the branch 4.

The ends of the branches are always being brought back against the bottom wall of the balloon or airships by elastic cables 11 made of rubber or other material, so that the ends are flattened against the balloon under the action of the inner pressure, so as to prevent the air from escaping, and open under the action of the outer pressure of the supply of air.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A device for feeding ballonnets on airships, comprising gas conducting means, a pipe discharging therefrom, a longitudinal flexible partition within said pipe, said partition being of a width equal to half the circumferential development of said pipe and being attached to the latter along opposite generatrices, a flexible spherical cap attached to one end of said partition and adapted to direct the gas into one or other of the compartments to be supplied, and means operable from the outside and attached to the other end of said partition, for applying the same against one or other of the half walls of the pipe so that the whole cross section of the latter is available for the passage of gas.

2. A device for feeding ballonnets on airships, comprising gas conducting means, a pipe discharging therefrom, a longitudinal flexible partition within said pipe, said partition being of a width equal to half the circumferential development of said pipe and being attached to the latter along opposite generatrices, a flexible spherical cap attached to one end of said partition and adapted to direct the gas into one or other of the compartments to be supplied, and a sliding jaw operable from the outside and attached to the other end of said partition, for applying the same against one or other of the half Walls of the pipe so that the Whole cross section of the latter is available for the passage of gas.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

MARGEL KAPFERER.

Witnesses:

DEAN B. MASON, GEORGES BONNEUIL. 

